Active Rotation Management: Managing Clinical Veterinary Students in a Community-Based Teaching Model

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Education
• Clinical Skills Training
• Community-Based Learning

Background:

• Distributed clinical teaching models are increasingly common for final-year veterinary students.
• Authentic clinical environments enhance student motivation and practice readiness.
• Challenges exist in ensuring consistency and quality assurance in these models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate a unique community-based clinical teaching model.
• To outline the strategies used to ensure consistency and quality.
• To assess the model's effectiveness in preparing students for practice.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a community-based model with small student groups in third-party premises.
• Deployment of clinical staff to oversee training across multiple sites.
• "Active rotation management" developed over 13 years to standardize student experience.
• Surveys of students and employers on practice preparedness.

Main Results:

• A distinct community-based model was developed and refined over 13 years.
• "Active rotation management" evolved to ensure consistent delivery.
• Student and employer feedback suggests the model effectively prepares graduates for practice.

Conclusions:

• The University of Nottingham's community-based model offers an effective approach to clinical veterinary education.
• Active rotation management is key to maintaining consistency and quality.
• This model successfully prepares veterinary graduates for professional practice.